Five things I’m grateful for this Blue Monday.

Bleugh, Blue Monday – aka. the day that is said to be the most depressing day of the year – is here. I can totally understand why it could be seen that way. I mean, January is pretty boring. It’s an incredibly long month, and for most it’s the start of the second full week back in work since the Christmas break which means the festivities are well and truly over. If you’re doing Dry January then you’re only h a l f w a y through, and honestly there’s just not a lot going on is there?

I guess though, that’s the beauty of January. I really enjoy this calm before the storm, as every year when the last week or so of January kicks in it’s all go-go-go, and I love it. But it’s always nice to have a little time at the start of the year to focus on yourself rather than your hectic schedule. So, let’s embrace those January Blues in all their glory. Here are five things I’m grateful for this Blue Monday…

1. Waking up feeling fresh after a Saturday night in

Last year I really overdid it when it came to spending my Saturday nights on the dance floor instead of on the sofa, and it was one thing I vowed to change this year. I’ve been absolutely loving having cosy Saturday nights in with my lovely boyfriend, eating good food, watching some trashy telly and heading to bed at a decent time ready to get up and work out in the morning. I absolutely love waking up feeling fresh on a Sunday and I feel like I’m far more productive all week because of it. I do have a few shindigs planned over the next couple of weeks, but I’m making sure I have plenty of quiet weekends in between.

2. Making plans for the year ahead

One of my favourite things is seeing my diary fill up with events to attend, people to see and things to do. I bloody love being busy and making plans with family and friends is my absolute favourite thing. Over the next few weeks I’m celebrating my birthday at a luxurious spa with my mum, I’m jetting off to Paris (oh em effing geeeee!) for a weekend with Dan, I’ve got a DJ night with all my favourite girls planned, as well as lots of exciting work things along the way. It’s going to be busy but I thrive on that, though I am ensuring I find a healthy balance so I don’t overdo it as I did last year. This is why I’m really relishing these quieter weeks in January.

3. My January health kick

I vowed to get back into healthy eating and training hard in January, and I’ve done just that. I’m feeling so much better. I feel like I’m really nourishing my body and am seeing the benefits both physically and mentally. Exercise is such a stress-reliever for me, and I particularly love going in the evenings after work. It’s a great way to burn off some energy after spending all day sat at a desk. I love that the quietness of January has enabled me to refocus on this.

4. Having a beautiful home to get all cosy in

Every day I thank my lucky stars that I’m able to live in a such fun, vibrant, friendly city, and more importantly that I have my own space to settle in. After years of house shares and hostel living, spending time on trains back and fore from university to my cosy home back in West Wales, having my own flat still feels surreal and I’m forever grateful that I have a place in Cardiff I can finally call home.

5. Sunny Winter days

You know that feeling when you wake up on a cold January morning to see the sun shining through the morning mist? I’ve bloody loved that over the past two weeks. Admittedly, those days are few and far between, but I’ve been really enjoying getting out into the cold, fresh air to enjoy the sunnier days when I can. This has meant ditching the car to walk to work, and it’s also meant long walks around Cardiff’s beautiful parks and the bay on the weekend. If mother nature could bless us with some more sun in the lead up to spring pleeeeeease that would be just great.

So this Blue Monday, why not curl up and read my blog post about how to survive the January blues, run yourself a hot bath, and get engrossed in a TV drama. I’m definitely enjoying embracing the quiet times, and I feel so much better for it.

This is such a lovely list, Jessie! I also had a super chilled weekend this week, and it was complete bliss. I'm trying plan ahead and think about the rest of the year, too – I'm so excited to see what's in store for you!Soph x | http://www.sophierosie.com

Cardiff sounds like a dream, definitely a place I would love to visit! I used to go out every Friday and Saturday and I hated wasting away my weekends feeling hungover. I feel so much happier now that I have more evenings in!The Makeup Directory

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Hello and welcome to jessie-ann.co.uk, a lifestyle and travel blog written by Jessie-Ann Lewis. I'm a 25 year old journo, currently working as a TV production researcher in Cardiff. I love to travel, take photos, and blog all about it!